Existence and multiplicity of positive periodic solutions to a class of Liénard equations with repulsive singularities (Q2675381)

This paper studies the existence and multiplicity of a parameter-dependent Liénard equation with repulsive singularities \[ x'' + f(x) x' - \frac{a(t)}{x^\mu}+ \varphi(t) x^{\delta} = s, \] where \(f: (0, +\infty) \to \mathbb{R}\), \(a: \mathbb{R}/T\mathbb{Z} \to (0, +\infty)\) is a nonnegative function, and \(\varphi: \mathbb{R}/T \mathbb{Z} \to \mathbb{R}\) is a sign-changing function. Moreover, the constants \(\mu > 0\), \(\delta \in (0, 1)\) are fixed, and \(s\in \mathbb{R}\) is a parameter. The authors further assume that \[ \bar{a} = \dfrac{1}{T}\int_0^T a (t) d t > 0,\quad \bar{\varphi} = \frac{1}{T}\int_0^T \varphi(t) d t < 0. \] Using a continuation theorem of coincidence degree theory and certain properties of Leray-Schauder degree, the authors prove the existence of a critical point \(s^* \in \mathbb{R}\) such that the equation has at least two positive \(T\)-periodic solution when \(s < s^*\), at least one positive \(T\)-periodic solution when \(s = s^*\), and no positive \(T\)-periodic solution when \(s > s^*\).